SHORE-BASED BALLAST WATER TREATMENT IN...
Transcript of SHORE-BASED BALLAST WATER TREATMENT IN...
PREPARED FOR
PREPARED CHECKED APPROVED
SHORE-BASED BALLAST WATER TREATMENT IN CALIFORNIA
TASK 9: CURRENT BWDISCHARGE PRACTICES
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIADELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
20 FEBRUARY 2018 FILE NO. 15086.01
REV -
PETER S. SOLES TODD GRAHAM, PE KEVIN J. REYNOLDS, PEGLOSTEN KPFF GLOSTEN
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices i Job 15086.01, Rev -
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 2
Current Underway Discharge Practices in California ............................................. 3
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3
Underway Discharges .............................................................................................................. 3
Methods of Minimizing/Eliminating Underway Discharges .................................. 13
Deep Water Service Stations ................................................................................................. 13
Operational Considerations .................................................................................... 17
Vessel Schedule Impacts........................................................................................................ 17
Impacts to Port and Marine Terminal Operations.................................................................. 17
Appendix A Study Overview and Definitions ................................................. A-1
Study Overview ...................................................................................................................A-2
Tasks Overview ...................................................................................................................A-2
Definitions............................................................................................................................A-3
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices ii Job 15086.01, Rev -
Revision History
Section Rev Description Date Approved
All - Released as final. 20 Feb
2018 KJR
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices iii Job 15086.01, Rev -
References
1. Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California, Task 13: Other Analysis and
Findings, Glosten, 20 September 2017.
2. Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California: Memorandum on Scale-up of Land-
based and Barge-based Alternatives, Glosten, 6 April 2017.
3. National Ballast Information Clearinghouse, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
& United States Coast Guard, http://invasions.si.edu/nbic/, accessed 11 April 2015.
4. Notes from phone conversation with Scott Pease and Wesley Bianga, Transmarine
Navigation, 13 June 2017.
5. Notes from phone conversation with Capt. Joe Long, San Francisco Bar Pilots, 13 June
2017.
6. “Everything you wanted to know about ballast water exchange and management plan,”
http://www.marineinsight.com/maritime-law/, accessed 23 August 2017.
7. “International Convention for the Management and Control of Ships’ Ballast Water and
Sediments,” http://www.imo.org, accessed 23 August 2017.
8. Email correspondence with Lisa Swanson, Director Environmental Affairs, Matson
Navigation Company, 5 September 2017.
9. Email correspondence with Captain Kevin Trivitt and Christopher Merten, Engineering
Team Lead, Alaska Tanker Company, LLC, 5 September 2017.
10. Allen, Craig H., “US Supreme Court Rejects PMSA’s Challenge to California’s Vessel
Fuel Rule,” Pacific Maritime, August 2012.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 1 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Executive Summary
The focus of this report, “Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices in California,” considers the
potential impact of shore-based ballast water management in California on vessels that have a
need to discharge ballast water while underway.
Currently, all six vessel types considered in this study discharge ballast water while underway.
Reasons for these discharges can be related to operational convenience, increased efficiency,
vessel trim, stability, or hull stress management, or other safety purposes. However, based on
the data analysis methods described in this report, the number of vessels conducting underway
discharges in California appears to be few. In addition, though exact circumstances cannot be
predicted, it appears that most or perhaps even all of these discharges are elective in nature, i.e.
with prudent planning these vessels could either avoid discharging, discharge outside the 24-
nautical-mile boundary of the US Contiguous Zone, or discharge in port.
This report proposes that underway discharges be planned in advance to the extent practicable,
and, whenever they cannot be conducted outside the 24-nautical-mile boundary of the US
Contiguous Zone, conducted in port at designated anchorages. This would effectively eliminate
underway discharges in all but rare emergency situations.
It should be noted that planning and conducting ballasting operations at specified locations may
result in unintended or undesirable outcomes. These outcomes may include vessels sailing in a
less-than-optimal loading condition during transits from offshore waters to port (or vice versa),
or vessel schedule delays associated with conducting ballasting operations in port that had
previously been conducted while underway.
The system proposed herein will not prevent those few discharges that must be conducted
immediately for the safety of the vessel and crew. In these instances, the capabilities of the
vessels’ onboard BWMS must be deemed sufficient. However, considering the apparent
infrequency of underway discharges in California, and the ability to foresee and plan for the
majority of these instances, the implementation of a shore-based ballast water management
system utilizing treatment barges is well-suited to assist in minimizing or eliminating these
discharges in California waters.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 2 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Introduction
This report is part of an overall coordinated study evaluating the feasibility of using shore-based
mobile or permanent ballast water treatment facilities to meet California’s Interim Ballast Water
Discharge Performance Standards (CA Interim Standards). This report is presented to the Delta
Stewardship Council to meet the objectives of Task 9 – Assessment of current practices related
to ballast water discharges in California. Description of the overall study can be found in
Appendix A, along with definitions for terms used in this study.
This report (Task 9) assesses current ballast water discharge practices from marine vessels in
California, with focused discussion on vessels that need to discharge ballast while underway in
California waters, rather than in port, and effective methods for minimizing or eliminating such
discharges in state waters.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 3 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Current Underway Discharge Practices in California
Introduction
This report describes the current underway discharge practices of vessels calling ports in the
State of California. Current practices are described using data obtained from the NBIC and
information obtained during informal interviews with vessel owners and operators, vessel
masters, local marine pilots, and vessel agents.
A vessel may discharge ballast water at any point during a voyage. When not conducted at
berth, at anchor, or at a designated lightering area, a ballast water discharge may broadly be
considered an “underway discharge.” Primary reasons for discharging ballast water while
underway include ballast water management (i.e. mid-ocean exchange), managing vessel
stability and trim, and mitigating stresses imposed on the vessel’s hull/structure. To meet the
goal of preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species and harmful pathogens into
California waters, this Task Report investigates effective methods capable of minimizing or
eliminating underway discharges. As implied by the 25 July 2012 US Supreme Court decision in
PMSA v. Goldstene, individual states, California in particular, have the power to enact
“conditions of entry” relative to shipping activities outside their territories, to the outer limit of
the 24-nautical-mile US Contiguous Zone (Reference 10).
Although the NBIC data available for analysis does not specify whether a discharge was
conducted while underway (or not), it does provide the reported location where a discharge
occurred. For the purposes of this report, an underway discharge is defined as a ballast water
discharge that occurs in any location within the US Contiguous Zone (24 nm offshore) other than
at berth, at anchor, or in designated lightering areas in California waters. Ballast water
discharges that occur outside of the US Contiguous Zone are not considered in this study.
Underway Discharges
Ballast water discharges are the elimination of water from ballast tanks, for purposes related to
managing the draft, trim, and stability of a vessel, and to mitigate hull stresses imposed by its
loading condition. Underway discharges can be classified as either “elective” or “non-elective.”
A non-elective underway discharge can be described as one that must be conducted for the safe
operation or navigation of the vessel, the timing of which the crew has limited ability to control
(i.e. the discharge cannot practically be deferred or conducted in advance of an event or a
specific portion of the voyage).
An elective underway discharge is one that is either:
A. Conducted for convenience (e.g. to reduce crew workload), to maintain or minimize
impact to vessel schedule integrity, to minimize impact to marine terminal or shoreside
facility operations, or to realize certain operating efficiencies;
B. Conducted to trim the vessel for routine cleaning, maintenance, or other operational
purposes not critical for vessel safety;
C. Conducted for the safe operation or navigation of the vessel, but the crew has some
discretion in the timing of the discharge (i.e. the discharge can be deferred or conducted
in advance of an event or specific portion of the voyage without compromising vessel
safety).
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 4 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Elective and non-elective discharges are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Elective Underway Discharges
For any portion of a voyage exposed to ocean swell and/or seas, vessels must be in an allowable
seagoing loading condition (hereafter, sea condition), in accordance with parameters established
by their vessel-specific trim and stability booklets and/or cargo loading manuals. These
parameters include, but are not limited to:
• Minimum stability requirements.
• Minimum and maximum safe operating drafts.
• Maximum allowable longitudinal bending moment, torsion moment, and shearing forces.
For outbound vessels, an allowable sea condition is typically achieved dockside, through a
combination of prudent cargo stowage planning and ballasting operations. On occasion, a vessel
may depart her berth in an allowable but less-than-optimal loading condition, generally to
maximize under-keel clearance (UKC) while in port, or to minimize time at berth. Once
underway, ballasting operations may be conducted to:
• Minimize longitudinal bending forces and other stresses on the vessel’s hull/structure.
• Optimize vessel draft and trim.
• Optimize or improve vessel motions.
• Optimize engine load or reduce fuel consumption (i.e. power management).
• Trim the vessel for operational purposes (e.g. cargo hold/tank cleaning).
These are considered elective discharges because it is feasible for them to be conducted dockside
or at anchor prior to departure, or, alternatively, while underway, after the vessel has passed
beyond the 24-nautical-mile boundary of the US Contiguous Zone.
Similarly, inbound vessels may electively discharge ballast while underway for the following
purposes:
• To reduce draft and increase UKC for arrival/transiting in port.
• To trim the vessel for operational purposes.
• To reduce crew workload on arrival.
• To lighten the vessel in preparation for cargo operations and thereby reduce time at berth
- either for schedule integrity, or to minimize impact to marine terminal or shoreside
facility operations.
The latter is fairly common practice among tank vessels and dry bulk carriers arriving in an “in
ballast” condition (no cargo aboard), or with a partial load. By discharging ballast in advance of
arrival in port, the subject vessel can sometimes proceed directly to berth, and thereby avoid
having to sit at anchor. In certain cases, generally for loading of grain or other dry-bulk cargoes,
this is a matter of “cargo readiness,” and is necessary to establish priority in terminal berthing
queues; and, in virtually all cases, this practice ensures that cargo loading can begin immediately
after the vessel is berthed, and proceed at the maximum rate achievable or allowable by the
terminal. Figure 1 shows a dry bulk carrier discharging ballast while underway.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 5 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Figure 1 A dry bulk carrier discharging ballast while underway, in preparation for cargo operations (image
from http://maritime-connector.com/)
For both inbound and outbound vessels, the ballasting operations described above are
operational decisions for convenience and/or efficiency, and do not necessarily have to be
conducted while the vessel is operating between 0 and 24 nautical miles offshore. These
discharges can instead be conducted dockside, at anchor, or beyond the boundary of the US
Contiguous Zone without compromising vessel safety.
Some underway discharges are necessary for the safe operation or navigation of the vessel, but,
for the purposes of this study, are considered elective because the crew has some discretion as to
when these ballasting operations are conducted. Examples include:
• Adjusting vessel trim to compensate for fuel consumption.
• Maintaining longitudinal bending and shear forces within allowable limits as fuel is
consumed.
• Ballasting (proactively) for expected rough sea conditions:
o To minimize stresses on the vessel’s hull/structure for added margin of safety.
o To prevent vessel motions that could put the safety of the vessel, crew, or cargoes
at risk.
o To prevent or minimize bow slamming and boarding seas.
o To maintain propeller immersion.
Because fuel is consumed gradually over the course of an ocean voyage, ships’ crews can easily
anticipate the need to ballast or deballast to compensate for reduced fuel weight. Similarly, with
access to today’s sophisticated predictive models and active weather routing services, ships’
crews can anticipate the timing and severity of foul weather events with considerable accuracy,
generally days in advance. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that ballasting for these
purposes, when necessary, can also be conducted in advance, either in port or outside the US
Contiguous Zone.
On rare occasions, vessels may find themselves in rapidly deteriorating metocean conditions that,
depending on many variables, could require the immediate uptake or (less likely) discharge of
ballast water to ensure the continued safety of the vessel, crew, or cargoes onboard. Such an
event would constitute a non-elective “emergency discharge,” discussed in more detail in the
following section.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 6 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Non-elective Underway Discharges
Non-elective underway discharges are those that are essential for the continued safe operation or
navigation of the vessel, the timing of which the crew has limited ability to control. For
example, at some point during a voyage, a vessel may need to discharge ballast to reduce its draft
so that it can safely transit over a shoal, navigate a shallow channel, or dock at a berth with a
draft restriction. Deballasting for these purposes while offshore may not be feasible, given that
ships are required to maintain a safe and stable condition for the environment they are in. Once
the vessel passes into protected waters, where a “harbor condition” is generally allowable (i.e. an
increase in permissible hull stresses), the vessel may eventually reach a point where it cannot
continue without discharging due to insufficient UKC. This constitutes a non-elective discharge.
In California, such instances are limited almost exclusively to areas within protected bays and
waterways (e.g. Humboldt Bay, San Francisco Bay, San Pedro Bay, San Diego Bay), as
approaches from sea are maintained at controlling depths ranging from 36 to 83 feet, and impose
few restrictions on vessel arrivals.
Another example of a non-elective underway discharge is when a vessel must take on ballast
water to temporarily increase draft (thereby reducing air draft) for transiting beneath bridges,
power lines, or other obstructions of relatively low clearance height. Once clear of the
obstruction, the vessel, on occasion, must then discharge ballast to continue transiting with
sufficient UKC. Such instances are rare and, in California, are also limited to areas within
protected bays and waterways.
Other non-elective underway discharges are limited to emergency discharges. An emergency
underway discharge is defined as one that must be initiated immediately to manage an imminent
threat to the safety of the vessel and the lives onboard. Situations where emergency ballasting
operations may be necessary while underway may include:
• Ballasting to cope with unanticipated severe weather events, in order to:
o Minimize stresses on the vessel’s hull/structure.
o Improve vessel stability (e.g. increase or decrease metacentric height [GMT]).
o Reduce or improve vessel motions that put the safety of the vessel, crew, or
cargoes at risk.
o Minimize bow slamming and boarding seas.
o Maintain propeller immersion.
o Reduce the effects of set and drift by reducing freeboard and increasing draft (i.e.
maintain steerage).
• To refloat a vessel in the event of a grounding.
• To correct a severe list incurred as a result of flooding or shifting of cargo while
underway.
Such emergency discharges are extremely rare events and do not occur during normal vessel
operations. Moreover, with the exception of deballasting to refloat a vessel after a grounding,
the scenarios listed above would generally call for taking ballast onboard, rather than
discharging.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 7 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Data Analysis
Underway discharges within the US Contiguous Zone were extracted from NBIC data for a five-
year period from 2011-2015. This study defined an underway discharge event as one indicating
a discharge amount >0 and a location recorded in the NBIC database as geographic coordinates
(latitude and longitude), rather than the name of one of California’s seaports or designated
anchorage/lightering areas. It should be noted that, while the NBIC data includes all ballast
water activity for vessels arriving at ports in California, it does not include ballast water activity
for vessels departing California’s ports for locations in other states or countries.
Figure 2 shows underway discharges reported by vessels arriving at ports in California during the
period 2011-2015.
Figure 2 Underway discharges within US Contiguous Zone by vessels arriving at ports in California (NBIC,
2011-2015)
There are 53 individual underway ballast water discharge events attributable to 32 unique vessels
shown in in Figure 2. The average discharge volume associated with these events is 700 MT.
All 53 discharge events are less than 3,000 MT each. Discharge events and volumes per vessel
type are indicated in Table 1.
US EEZ Boundary (200 nm)
US Contiguous Zone Boundary (24 nm)
US Territorial Sea Boundary (12 nm)
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 8 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Table 1 Underway discharges within US Contiguous Zone by vessel types arriving at ports in California
(NBIC, 2011-2015)
Type Count Volume (MT)
Tanker 9 12531
Container 8 13490
Bulker 5 8670
Other 5 333
General Cargo 2 2288
Passenger 2 323
Combo 1 161
Some of the underway discharge events are multiple discharges by a single vessel on a single
voyage. One such example is highlighted in in Figure 3, in the traffic separation scheme in Santa
Barbara Channel. In this case, ballast water from different tanks is discharged as the vessel is
steaming – each reported as a discrete discharge event.
Figure 3 Underway discharges in the traffic separation scheme in Santa Barbara Channel (NBIC, 2011-
2015), red dots denote discharges from the same vessel on the same voyage
There is no information in the NBIC database that clearly indicates whether an underway ballast
water discharge is elective or non-elective. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, the
following characterization of underway ballast water discharges is assumed:
• Underway discharges that occur outside of California’s protected bays and
waterways, between 0 and 24 nautical miles offshore, are considered to be elective
underway discharges.
Vessels operating in this area must be in an allowable seagoing condition in accordance
with their ship-specific trim and stability booklet and/or loading manuals, or they risk
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 9 Job 15086.01, Rev -
violation of port and/or flag-state rules as well as classification society and insurance
company requirements. Therefore, it can be inferred that these vessels are in a safe
operating condition.
Considering the time required to transit the short distance between 0 and 24 nautical
miles offshore (~1.5-3.0 hours) any discharge of ballast for the continued safe operation
or navigation of the vessel (e.g. to compensate for fuel consumption) can be carried out
outside this area – either further offshore, or in port.
With the extremely rare exception of emergency deballasting, there is no practical
explanation for non-elective underway discharges in this area.
• Underway discharges that occur within California’s protected bays and waterways
are considered to be non-elective underway discharges.
Due to the limited information provided on NBIC reporting forms, it is not possible to
determine from the data what percentage of underway discharges occurring within
California’s protected bays and waterways are truly non-elective. However, for purposes
of conservatism, it is assumed that all are non-elective. Given the relative infrequency of
these discharges, 17 (statewide) over a five-year period, even a significant margin of
error in this assumption does not affect the study findings and recommendations relative
to:
o Methods for minimizing or eliminating such discharges into California waters.
o Practical solutions to capture these discharges with barges, other marine vessels,
or onboard mobile kits.
o Operational considerations.
Underway Discharges within Zone Boundaries
Underway discharges that occurred within the zone boundaries defined in Reference 1 are shown
in Figure 4 and Figure 5. Because the zone boundaries lie within California’s protected bays and
waterways, the discharges shown are assumed to be non-elective. Exceptions to this are the
offshore satellite areas of Zone 5, namely Pacific Area Lightering (PAL). Though clearly
located outside California’s protected bays and waterways, PAL is a designated lightering area.
Discharges reported within the boundaries of PAL showing geographic coordinates as the
discharge location are believed to be the result of inconsistencies in reporting, rather than actual
underway discharges, and are therefore not included in the statewide totals (Table 2).
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 10 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Figure 4 Underway discharges in Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 (NBIC 2011-2015)
Figure 5 Underway discharges in Zones 5 and 6 (NBIC, 2011-2015)
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 1
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Benicia-Martinez Bridge
San Mateo-Hayward Bridge
PAL
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 11 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Table 2 Number of non-elective underway discharges in California by Zone (2011-2015)
Zone Designation
Service Area Non-elective
Underway Discharges
Zone 1 San Francisco Bay (North Part) and Humboldt Bay 1
Zone 2 San Francisco Bay (South Part) and Monterey Bay 5
Zone 3 Carquinez Strait and Suisan Bay 4
Zone 4 Stockton 0
Zone 5 Los Angeles/Long Beach and Vicinity 1
Zone 6 San Diego 0
TOTAL 11
Anecdotal Information
The infrequent occurrence of underway discharges in the NBIC data is supported by accounts
from vessel owners and operators, vessel agents, and marine pilots intimately familiar with
vessel movements in California, specifically: Matson Navigation Company, Alaska Tanker
Company, Transmarine Navigation Corporation, and San Francisco Bar Pilots. In informal
surveys carried out by email and phone correspondence, these groups report that underway
ballasting within California’s protected bays and waterways is rare, but most often related to
vessels taking on ballast to temporarily reduce freeboard or air draft (References 4, 5, 8). This is
done to avoid interferences with shiploaders or other material handling systems while moored
alongside marine terminals, or to allow passage under bridges with low clearance heights,
generally either the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge or the Union Pacific Railroad (Benicia-
Martinez) Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area (see Figure 6). Reportedly, the latter (ballasting
for clearance under bridges) is sometimes done only to avoid delays associated with waiting for
the height of tide to reduce enough to allow safe passage. Once the vessel is clear of the bridge
or other obstruction, the ballast water that was taken onboard is then sometimes discharged to
achieve adequate UKC for the remainder of the voyage. Vessel agents and marine pilots
questioned by the project team had no documentation or data on such instances, and could recall
none more recent than 2012.
Figure 6 Tank vessel New Horizon passing under the Union Pacific Railroad (Benicia-Martinez) Bridge in
Carquinez Strait (image from www.liveleak.com/view?i=38f_1501058706)
The subjects also relayed, from experience, that vessels discharging ballast after clearing the San
Mateo and Benicia-Martinez bridges are most often bound for Redwood City, or up the
Sacramento River (respectively) where controlling depths are reduced. Transits from
Richmond/San Francisco to Redwood City require passage of San Bruno shoal/channel in the
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 12 Job 15086.01, Rev -
southern part of San Francisco Bay, followed by the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and Redwood
Creek, which has a controlling depth of 28 feet at mean lower low water (MLLW). Transits
from Richmond/San Francisco to Sacramento require passage of Pinole Shoal/Channel in San
Pablo Bay, followed by the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, Suisan Bay, and the Sacramento River
Deep Water Ship Channel, which has a controlling depth of 25 feet at MLLW. Figure 7 shows a
vessel transiting the Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel in a light draft condition.
Figure 7 Vessel Sanko Jupiter transiting the Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel (image from
www.flickr.com/photos/scupper/sets/72157600263062196/)
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 13 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Methods of Minimizing/Eliminating Underway Discharges
Elective underway discharges, as previously discussed, are those that can be avoided, conducted
in waters outside the 24-nautical-mile boundary of the US Contiguous Zone, or conducted in port
(within California’s protected bays in waterways), without increasing risks to vessel safety,
human lives, or the environment. Non-elective discharges for navigational purposes –
principally to reduce draft in advance of terminal arrival – can also take place in port without
compromising safety.
Emergency deballasting is the only form of non-elective underway discharge that cannot
necessarily be avoided, conducted outside the 24-nautical-mile boundary of the US Contiguous
Zone, or deferred until arrival in port. The expected frequency of such events cannot be
determined from the data available, but is estimated at <1 per year in waters between 0 and 24
nautical miles offshore. In such emergencies, the subject vessel would likely be unable to treat
discharged ballast water to the CA Interim Standards, but, presumably, would be capable of
treating to the IMO standard with its shipboard BWMS. In the face of an imminent threat to the
safety of a vessel and the lives onboard, the risk to coastal ecosystems associated with this less-
stringent standard of treatment may have to be accepted.
For both non-elective discharges related to normal vessel operations, and any elective
discharges conducted in port, the practice of discharging ballast into coastal waters while a
vessel is making way can be eliminated by conducting these operations at anchor within
California’s protected bays and/or waterways, where oceangoing vessels can be serviced by
shore-based ballast water treatment barges (treatment barge), as described in Reference 1.
For non-elective discharges related to normal vessel operations, the data suggest that the
expected frequency may be as low as two events per year statewide. For elective discharges,
assuming 100% of vessels opt to discharge in port rather than in international waters beyond the
24-nautical-mile boundary of the US Contiguous Zone, the data suggest that the expected
frequency may be as low as 11 per year statewide.
Potential impacts of these operations on vessel schedules, terminal/facility operations, and port
congestion are discussed in the following section.
Deep Water Service Stations
This section serves to introduce the concept of a Deep Water Service Station (DWSS) as a means
of minimizing or eliminating underway discharges in California waters.
A DWSS is essentially a designated anchorage area for the capture and treatment of ships’
ballast water at anchor by way of treatment barge. For vessels needing to discharge ballast in
port, but not at berth, DWSS would provide a safe deep-water location for this purpose, within
the operating radius of local treatment barges. Instead of discharging while underway as they do
now, vessels needing to discharge in port would go to anchor to deballast, either prior to
transiting inland waterways, or on departure, before going to sea, as circumstances require.
Ballast water capture and treatment operations at a DWSS would be virtually equivalent to
bunkering operations at anchor, as shown in Figure 8. Barges would be dispatched to vessels at
pre-arranged times, and secured alongside in the same manner as for vessels at berth. The
processes for connection, capture, and treatment of ballast would also be the same.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 14 Job 15086.01, Rev -
If implemented for each zone, DWSS would provide a suitable and practical means of
eliminating current underway discharge practices in California, both for inbound and outbound
vessels. The few vessels requiring this practice would experience schedule impacts, but the
system would not cause disruptions to normal operations at marine terminals, or appreciably
contribute to marine traffic in port or other port congestion issues.
Figure 8 Open-hatch gantry ship, Star Florida engaged in bunkering operations in Vancouver Harbor,
British Columbia.
Implementation
In order to implement this system, one or more strategically located DWSS would need to be
identified for each zone, as well as for all satellite areas. These could take the form of either a
swing circle, as shown in Figure 9, or a large general anchorage area, as shown in Figure 10. No
infrastructure would be required to establish DWSS.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 15 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Figure 9 Capture from NOAA Nautical Chart No. 18749, “San Pedro Bay,” showing Commercial
Anchorages B through F
Figure 10 Capture from NOAA Nautical Chart No. 18649, “Entrance to San Francisco Bay,” showing
General Anchorage Areas No. 8 and 9
Swing Circle Type Anchorage
General Anchorage Areas
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 16 Job 15086.01, Rev -
DWSS may be anchorages dedicated to ballast water capture and discharge operations
exclusively, or multi-purpose commercial anchorages. The designation and location of DWSS
would likely be led by local USCG Sectors (Captain of the Port Zones), with input from multiple
federal and state agencies, as well as port authorities, pilotage associations, and vessel
owners/operators.
For zones and/or satellite areas with significant physical constraints – potentially Zone 3
(Carquinez Strait and Suisan Bay), Zone 4 (Stockton), and Zone 5 satellite area, Port Hueneme –
lay berths may need to be identified in place of DWSS.
For the reservation and use of a DWSS, vessels would make prior arrangements with the local
port authority or marine exchange. Additionally, for international voyages, the vessel would be
required to duly inform US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of their intention to conduct
ballast water capture and treatment operations either prior to entry, or after clearance. For
inbound vessels, this request would most likely be made on CBP Form 3171 – “Application-
Permit-Special-License-Unlading-Lading-Overtime Services” (see Appendix A). For outbound
vessels, the request would be made on CBP Form 1300 – “Vessel Entrance or Clearance
Statement” (see Appendix A). Once authorized, the vessel would contact the treatment barge
operator to arrange treatment barge services upon arrival at the DWSS. All such arrangements
would ordinarily be handled by the vessel agent, in communication with the Master or Chief
Officer onboard the vessel, as well as port captains and vessel planners ashore.
Inbound Vessels
As discussed in previous sections, inbound vessels may need to discharge ballast once inside
protected waters, before transiting inland bays or waterways, or prior to terminal arrival. In such
cases, after making all necessary arrangements, an inbound vessel would pick up the marine pilot
as it would normally, transit from the pilot station to the appropriate DWSS and set anchor(s).
Once secure at anchor, the pilot would disembark by launch service. For international voyages,
if the vessel is to spend less than 48 hours at anchor prior to entry, CBP would generally defer
boarding the vessel for US immigration purposes (i.e. passport control) until it arrives at berth.
In this case, the ship’s crew would be free to coordinate with the treatment barge operator to
bring the barge immediately alongside. After the barge is correctly spotted and secured, ballast
water capture and treatment operations would proceed in analogous fashion to ship bunkering
operations. Upon completion, the treatment barge would be disconnected and dismissed. A
marine pilot would be dispatched, arrive to the vessel by launch service, and pilot the vessel from
the DWSS to its next berth.
Outbound Vessels
As discussed in previous sections, outbound vessels may wish to depart from a berth or terminal
in a sub-optimal loading condition and discharge ballast prior to calling another berth or
transiting offshore. For international voyages, if the vessel is to spend less than 48 hours at
anchor prior to departure for sea, CBP would generally clear the vessel while dockside, prior to
shifting to the DWSS. After making all other necessary arrangements, the vessel would then
depart its berth with a marine pilot onboard, transit the required distance to the appropriate
DWSS, and set anchor(s). Once secure at anchor, the pilot would disembark by launch service
and the ship’s crew would coordinate with the treatment barge operator to bring the barge
alongside. After the barge is correctly spotted and secured, ballast water capture and treatment
operations would proceed in analogous fashion to ship bunkering operations. Upon completion,
the treatment barge would be disconnected and dismissed. A marine pilot would be dispatched,
arrive to the vessel by launch service, and pilot the vessel from the DWSS to the pilot station.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 17 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Operational Considerations
A mandatory no discharge rule (ballast water) in the offshore waters of California between 0 and
24 nautical miles, in combination with implementation of DWSS for each zone, as described
above, would likely result in schedule impacts for a small percentage of calling vessels (mainly
bulk carriers and tank vessels), but have little effect on port and marine terminal operations.
Vessel Schedule Impacts
For any inbound or outbound vessels unable to discharge ballast outside 24 nautical miles, the
need to conduct ballast water capture and treatment operations at a DWSS (rather than
discharging while underway) would likely introduce schedule delays. It is estimated that these
delays could range from as few as 4 hours to 24 hours or more, depending on the volume of
ballast water to be discharged and several other factors, including but not limited to:
• CBP authorization and potential entry/clearance processes at anchor.
• DWSS availability.
• Treatment barge availability.
• Marine pilot availability.
• Launch vessel availability.
• Metocean conditions.
• Marine traffic conditions.
That noted, it is expected that such delays would be limited almost exclusively to highly ballast-
dependent vessels such as bulk carriers and tank vessels, which are often urged or incentivized to
minimize “idle” time at berth (to minimize berth congestion or impacts to shoreside
facility/refinery operations). However, based on estimates from the available NBIC data on
underway discharges, there are about 11 elective and non-elective discharges per year on average
(statewide), indicating that very few individual vessels would be affected. If it is assumed that
50% of these vessels can opt to discharge outside 24 nautical miles instead of in port, the number
of affected vessels is reduced to less than 6 per year on average.
Impacts to Port and Marine Terminal Operations
Because the DWSS provide a means for vessels to conduct ballasting operations away from the
berth, it is expected that a mandatory no discharge rule (ballast water) in the offshore waters of
California, between 0 and 24 nautical miles, would have no significant impact on marine
terminal operations, except perhaps to delay the arrival of a very small percentage of calling
vessels under certain circumstances. Vessels would generally be able to arrive and depart in the
same manner and similar frequency as they do currently.
Port operations would also be minimally affected, given how infrequently the DWSS would be
utilized for ballast water capture and treatment operations. Anchorages within individual port
districts might experience a slight increase in vessel activity over the course of a year (likely for
some ports more than others); but, as the data suggest, these increases would be so small as to be
scarcely noticeable. Therefore, a mandatory no discharge rule between 0 and 24 nautical miles
would likely not:
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices 18 Job 15086.01, Rev -
• Have a noticeable effect on vessel traffic density in port.
• Limit the use of commercial anchorages by other vessels not engaged in ballast water
capture and treatment operations.
• Noticeably affect the availability of tug, launch, or pilotage services for marine vessels.
• Influence the target number of marine pilots within a compulsory pilotage area.
• Generate a need for additional tug and/or launch vessels within port districts.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-1 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Appendix A Study Overview and Definitions
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-2 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Study Overview
Marine vessels routinely uptake ambient sea or harbor water as ballast, transit to another port,
and then discharge that ballast water. Unfortunately, the resulting ballast water discharges have
been linked to the introduction of aquatic invasive species and harmful pathogens. In an effort to
reduce or possibly eliminate further introductions, marine vessels are being required to manage
ballast water discharges by a myriad of international, federal, and regional guidelines and rules.
Vessels discharging in California will be required to meet an interim standard that is more
stringent than international and US federal standards.
In response, there has been significant development work and commercial installations of ballast
water management systems (BWMS) onboard marine vessels themselves. However, there is a
lack of data to determine if shipboard BWMS are capable of meeting CA Interim Standards.
Therefore, shore-based ballast water reception and treatment is under consideration as an
approach to meet the CA Interim Standards.
This study evaluates the feasibility of shore-based ballast water reception and treatment in 13
separate tasks, beginning with a review of shore-based treatment research, followed by a series
of detailed analyses, including: permitting and legal requirements, detailed cost estimates,
timeline to implementation, and market implications.
Tasks Overview
Tasks 6 through 13 are submitted together to discuss the practical implementation of shore-based
ballast water reception and treatment throughout California state waters, accomplished by a
“network” of six (6) independently operating fleets of mobile treatment barges (see Table A-1).
During the course of this study, following completion of Tasks 2-5 and the comparative scale-up
exercise described in Reference 2, this approach was deemed most technically, operationally,
and financially feasible of the five approaches that were evaluated (i.e. new onsite treatment
facility, new offsite treatment facility, existing wastewater treatment facility, shore-side mobile
treatment, mobile marine vessel-based treatment).
Table A-1 Tasks 6 through 13
Task Description
6 Assessment of construction related to outfalls for treated ballast water discharges, and provision
for disposal of solids as needed.
7 Summarize pertinent permitting and legal requirements.
8 Comparative review of shipboard vs. barge-based ballast water management operations.
9 Assessment of current practices related to ballast water discharges in California.
10 Cost analysis.
11 Implementation timeline.
12 Market implications.
13 Other analysis and findings. Introduces the concept of a statewide network of mobile treatment
barges for the provision of ballast water reception and treatment services across the state and
forms the basis for assessments and analyses in Tasks 6-12.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-3 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Definitions
ABS American Bureau of Shipping
ANSI American National Standards Institute
ASTM An international standards organization.
ATB Articulated Tug Barge
AWL Height Above Waterline
AWWA American Water Works Association
Ballast Water Water taken on by a ship to maintain stability in transit.
Ballast Water
Exchange
The process of exchanging a vessel’s coastal ballast water with mid-ocean
water to reduce concentration of non-native species in accordance with
regulatory guidelines.
Ballast Water
Management
The entire process of treatment and handling of a ship’s ballast water to
meet regulatory requirements and prevent spread of non-native species.
BMPF Ballast Manifold Presentation Flange
Booster Pump Pump, typically centrifugal, that adds additional pumping force to a line
that is already being pumped.
BWDS Ballast Water Discharge Standards
BWE Ballast Water Exchange
BWM Ballast Water Management
BWMS Ballast Water Management System
BWTP Ballast Water Treatment Plant
BWTB,
BWT Barge
Ballast Water Treatment Barge
BWTS Ballast Water Treatment System
Capture Capture is the method by which ballast water is transferred onto or off a
marine vessel.
CD Chart Datum
CFU Colony Forming Units
CMSA California Marine Sanitation Agency
DAF Dissolved Air Floatation
DIN Deutches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization)
Discharge Discharge of ballast water is the method by which post-treatment ballast
water is disposed of in compliance with applicable standards and
regulations.
DOC Dissolved Organic Carbon
DWT Deadweight Tonnage
EPA Environmental Protection Agency (US, unless otherwise noted)
Filtrate Water that has been separated from any particulate matter (used to clean
ballast water treatment filters).
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-4 Job 15086.01, Rev -
GA General Arrangement
GM Metacentric height (a measure of a ship’s stability).
gpm Gallons per minute. Any measurements quoted in gallons of ballast water
per minute will also be shown in MT of ballast water per hour, or MT/h.
HDPE High-density Polyethylene
IMO International Maritime Organization
ISO International Organization for Standardization
JIS Japanese Industrial Standards (organization)
L Liter
Lift Station Means of receiving a liquid, typically from a drain or low-pressure piping,
and ‘lifting’ it with pump(s) to a different location such as a remote tank.
Lightering Cargo transfer between vessels, commonly practiced to reduce a vessel’s
draft before entering port.
LT2ESWTR Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
MF Microfiltration
mg Milligram
MG Millions of gallons. Any measurements quoted in MG of ballast water
will also be shown in MT of ballast water.
MGD Millions of Gallons/Day
MHHW Mean Higher High Water
MLLW Mean Lower Low Water
MPA Megapascal (unit of pressure)
MSL Mean Sea Level
MT Metric tons. One cubic meter of seawater is roughly equivalent to 1.025
MT, but this value varies depending on temperature and salinity of the
water. In this report, conversions between volume and weight of seawater
are merely approximate and assume 1 m3 of seawater has a mass of
roughly 1 MT, for convenience.
Navy Mole A man-made peninsula in the Port of Long Beach that flanks entrance to
the middle and inner harbor
NBIC National Ballast Information Clearinghouse
NOM Natural Organic Matter
Non-native
Species
Species that are not indigenous to a particular region. Non-native species
can be introduced to marine ecosystems through a ship’s ballast water.
“Invasive” species are non-native species with the potential to cause harm
to the environment or human health.
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-5 Job 15086.01, Rev -
NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
O&M Operations and Maintenance (cost)
OCIMF Oil Companies International Marine Forum
POTW Publicly Owned [Wastewater] Treatment Works
PSU Practical salinity units.
Residuals Particulate matter collected from cleaning ballast water treatment filters.
ROM Rough Order of Magnitude (cost)
Ro-ro Roll-on/roll-off (vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as car,
trucks, trailers, and equipment)
RWCF Regional Wastewater Control Facility (e.g. City of Stockton, CA)
Shipboard
Ballast Water
Treatment
Ballast water management approaches that do not require support from
shore-based infrastructure and are conducted entirely by a vessel’s crew.
Shore-Based
Ballast Water
Management
Ballast water management approaches that require support from shore-
based infrastructure in order to meet ballast water management
requirements. Such infrastructure may include: means of transferring
ballast water to a land-based or another marine vessel facility for storage
and/or processing, deployment of shore-based equipment and personnel
for onboard treatment approaches, etc.
Slurry Mixture of filtrate and filter residuals resulting from cleaning ballast water
treatment filters.
Slurry Handling Slurry handling includes activities related to the storage, treatment, and
discharge of filtrate and residuals collected from cleaning ballast water
treatment filters.
SOLAS International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea
Storage Storage of ballast water includes provision of space and containment for
ballast water, either pre-or post-treatment.
STS Ship-to-Ship. Transfer from one marine vessel to another.
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TEU Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit
TOC Total Organic Carbon
Transfer Ballast water transfer considers the logistics and equipment required to
capture the ballast water from the marine vessel and transport to a
reception and treatment facility.
Transport Transport is the method by which ballast water is moved post-capture
from marine vessels to remote, non-mobile reception and treatment
facilities – either land-based or otherwise.
Treatment Treatment includes the various methods to process ballast water such that
it is suitable for discharge in compliance with applicable standards and
regulations.
Shore-Based Ballast Water Treatment in California 20 February 2018 Task 9: Assessment of Current Ballast Water Discharge Practices A-6 Job 15086.01, Rev -
Treatment
Approach
A general method for implementing ballast water treatment. Treatment
approaches may include mobile systems, land-based facilities, shipboard
systems, etc.
Treatment
Technology
Specific techniques for removal or inactivation of organisms in ballast
water (e.g., UV disinfection, filtration, ozonation, etc.)
TRO Total Residual Oxidant
TSS Total Suspended Solids
UF Ultrafiltration
UKC Underkeel Clearance
UL A global independent safety consulting and certification company
(formerly Underwriters Laboratories).
USCG United States Coast Guard
UV Ultraviolet Light
UVT UV Transmittance
VLCC Very Large Crude Carrier
WWTF Waste Water Treatment Facility
WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant